Breaks are Good

I really needed a break from blogging when we left Iceland, it felt like I just needed to let that time rest and in some ways continue at the same time by leaving my last post up for a good long while.  I still have things  to catch up on, perhaps in a designated time each week to stretch out the remembering as long and sweetly as possible.  We miss our life there, but returning to St. Louis has also been joyful, and we have packed in the craziness (as we do so well!) since coming back to the States.  The weather here is starting to feel a bit like Iceland. . .well, Iceland in July. . .and we’re putting our sweaters and hats back on after a month or so of shorts and t-shirts–just the right amount of time for me, I think.

I look forward to sharing more about St. Louis life, but first, Art House America has kindly published another essay of mine, this time about Iceland (here’s mine from last summer, about Dutch L’Abri).  While you’re over on that blog, check out some of the other articles there, there’s something for everyone and they’re always worth the time.  Here’s the link to my essay.

 

Flashback to June: On our own, learning the ropes, enjoying each other

I had a hard time believing that, once my mom and sister left, we could possibly manage two children on our own.  Who would hold the baby while one of us bathed Everett and the other finished dinner?  Who would play with Everett while Eric worked and I fed the baby? How could I get both kids ready at the same time to go out, get back in time for dinner, and MAKE dinner all by myself while Eric worked?  HOW DO PEOPLE DO THIS?

Well, we have managed, and pretty well most of the time, if I do say so myself.  We even found time to enjoy each other!  Now, did I also find time to take pictures of it all?  Not really, but here are a few special moments from the relatively calm month of June.

The Festival of the Sea–this wasn’t a great day as we missed the best entertainment and it was crowded and Bryndís kind of lost it part way through, but we did discover this perfect place to throw rocks into the water.

There are no trains in Iceland, except for this old locamotive that’s parked by the harbor. I think there’s also a sign that says not to climb on it, but it’s in Icelandic so I claim ignorance 🙂

Nauthollsvík Beach, a very cool place; closest we’ll get to a real beach this summer.

June 17th, Icelandic Independence Day; Reykjavik got a little crowded as people from all over descended on the city for the celebration. We enjoyed the weather, some live music, and a classic car parade.

A true victory for me–we walked a good distance to Kjarvalstadir, one branch of the Reykjavik Art Museum that houses a lot of work by the artist Kjarval (love his stuff), and since it’s surrounded by a park I managed to time it perfectly so that Everett got to play for an hour, then was tired enough to sit still while I actually went on a TOUR! Then we all ate the lunch we brought in the museum cafe, and walked home in time for naps.  (I love Ev’s expression here, like, “um, Mom, I’m reading here”)

Naps all around, crucial to survival.

 

 

Dear Tourist. . .

I’m very glad to see you here, enjoying and discovering a country I love dearly, and patronizing all the businesses in this city.  I’m barely more than a tourist myself; I don’t speak the language and I don’t pay taxes, but I feel like the amount I’ve spent here in groceries alone counts for something.  And as a resident, even if temporary, I do feel the need to express a few thought to you, the even more temporary visitor:

• I completely understand that you wanted to pack light so one pair of comfortable shoes and an all-weather jacket of some kind were necessary, but it’s REALLY obvious that you’re not from here when you walk through the middle of town on a sunny 60 degree day in your North Face parka and bulky hiking boots. (Also, I know it’s a sauna in the U.S. right now, but it’s not THAT cold here)
• Now, the MATCHING North Face parkas and hats are just plain hilarious
• It’s weird when you take pictures of the front of my house, even if the view in this part of town is spectacular.
• It’s even weirder when you take pictures of my KID, especially without asking.  He’s cute, I know, but first of all, he’s not Icelandic, despite his blond hair and blue eyes.  Second of all, if I find those pictures anywhere on the internet besides MY BLOG, you’re in for a world of pain.
• When walking down the street, keep in mind that some of us are walking because we need to get somewhere, and you’re slow.
• On a similar note, when meeting with a group of other waterproof jacket, sunhat, hiking boot, and daypack-clad folk in order to enjoy a walking tour or catch a bus (undoubtedly to the Blue Lagoon or Golden Circle), please don’t spread across the entire width of the sidewalk.  Again, some of us walking actually are trying to get somewhere (like home, before children start screaming).
• I apologize if I end up in your picture, immortalized in your scrapbook forever, making some awful face or picking my nose or something.  But it’s just impossible to avoid all your lenses, they’re everywhere.
• Americans, I am one of you so I can say this: you’re loud, louder than the French, louder than the Germans.  Just thought you should know.  Also, there are no McDonalds or Starbucks located in this whole country, so enjoy that while you can.
• You should absolutely buy an Icelandic sweater, because it’s really cool that although a great souvenir, locals wear them too, so you won’t look ridiculous.
• Do not, however, buy a Viking helmet, or anything with the Icelandic flag on it, and wear it around.  Dead giveaway (especially since real Viking helmets did not have horns. . .I think we have Wagner to thank for that little embellishment, though someone correct me if I’m wrong).
• Don’t worry about not knowing the language; it’s a tough one and only 320,000 people in the whole world speak it so no one blames you (especially not me), but learning a few pronunciation points will help you ask for directions. . .I won’t attempt to explain, just google it:)

Enjoy your stay!  It makes me feel extra special when one of you asks me directions and I can actually help, so if you see me (I will have one adorable blondheaded kid in a stroller and one screaming baby in a pack on my chest. . .hard to miss), feel free to ask!  (however, I’m moving away on Tuesday, SAD!)

 

Highlights: Mombee and Aunt Silly take Reykjavik!

After Kara left, my mom (known to Everett as Mombee) arrived for two weeks, and my sister Hannah (affectionately nicknamed Aunt Silly) joined her for the second week.  So we got a full month of extra help with a new baby, so awesome.  Some of the sweetest moments I don’t have pictures of, like getting to take my mom to two playgroups to meet everyone whom I’ve gotten to know over the past few months, just hanging out in the flat reading or watching videos with Everett, mom cooking most nights, wandering around town, shopping, and stopping at playgrounds, and the moments when they took both kids and I got to rest some!  We took one road trip that included Þingvellir and the southern coast down in Vík, and mom and Hannah headed to the Blue Lagoon one day.  Here are a few favorite pictures of mine:

whale watching, or really, rocky boat ride in the cold and looking at a lot of water:)

Watching some new dvd’s Aunt Silly brought with her

The girls at Þingvellir; we also got some great family portrait shots here but I’m saving those for the Christmas card.

Hannah and I (and Bryndís, hiding in the sling under the blanket) on the beach at Vík. This isn’t the best picture, but I wanted to show the cool rock formations behind us. It was a beautiful day to drive down there!

Skogafoss; not part of the planned day trip but we spotted it on our way home and had to let mom and Hannah get out. I was pretty ok with not unstrapping two babies again, but would love to go back one day and climb up to the top. How gorgeous!  Hannah took this picture, btw

Sheep! I have an absurd number of pictures of sheep and horses from our various drives, so it’s about time I threw one in here. There’s just something so magical about the way these animals are allowed to roam the countryside until they’re needed, and they are EVERYWHERE.  But sheep are particularly special, not just because I love knitting with their wool, but because my mom has a thing for them and decorated MY nursery with little sheep stencils.

 

This Moment

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.* A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see. (Inspired by SouleMama)

 

{this moment}

{this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.* A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

 

Bryndís Ann

þingvellir National Park; 3 1/2 weeks old

In the interest of catching up as much as possible (and I confess, some of these posts are as much for my own personal record keeping as for sharing), I want to properly introduce you to my beautiful daughter.  I have not finished writing up her birth story, but I’ll include Eric’s version of it as a pdf download because it’s hilarious (keep in mind while reading that it’s a copy of the email we sent to family and friends the day of).  In short, she arrived two weeks early, and made her entrance so swiftly that I did not make it to the hospital but rather delivered her, with the help of Eric, our wonderful doula Soffía, and a midwife who arrived just in the nick of time, in our bathtub!  Unbelievably, our sweet Bryndís Ann is already 10 weeks old, so here are just a few portraits of her life thus far.

A few minutes old!

About 1 month

Road Trip! With Grandma and Grandaddy Bryan, 2 months

Cheeky!

 

This Moment (a new tradition drawn from SouleMama)

Thanks to the SouleMama blog for this, hopefully I can keep up:  {this moment} – A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.* A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you’re inspired to do the same, leave a link to your ‘moment’ in the comments for all to find and see.

*Technically this is not from this week, but I have so many sweet pictures from my time away from the blog that I thought this would be a nice forum for showcasing them.

 

Settling

I took an unintentional 3.5 month hiatus from blogging and quite a bit has changed since I last posted, like, let’s see: our home, the weather, the number of people in our family, the overall shape of my body, amount of sunlight in each day. . . I have lots of thoughts, pictures, news, and on and on to share, but for now, here are some highlights:

April 1-we moved from 107 to 101 Reykjavik, to an awesome flat facing the Tjorn in the center of town.  It was nice being next to Laugardalur park, but I’m much happier downtown where I don’t have to take the bus to get anywhere.

April-May, sometime–it stopped getting dark, at all, ever.

May 7th–Baby girl enters the world!!  I really look forward to sharing her insane birth story and a few precious pictures in an upcoming post:)

May 8-June 2–first our friend Kara visits, then my mom, then my sister!  Several fun day trips with everyone to other fantastically beautiful parts of this country

June–settling into life with two kids, fortunately with the help of some gorgeous weather!  Lots of time spent at the playground, in the kitchen, at playgroups, and the library.

Projects finished since March 13–Everett’s sweater (ALMOST in time for Easter), E’s Easter basket (now toy storage), easter garlands and letters for friends back home, E’s overalls, knit baby blanket, tiny baby sweater and matching hat, tote bag for a friend’s birthday, fathers’ day present.

In other news: a new addiction to Pinterest (something easily explored one-handed and while nursing or bouncing a fussy baby) has led to a growing project list and several yummy kitchen experiments.

Pictures and links to all patterns, tutorials, and recipes forthcoming!

 

Transient once again. . .or still

Yep, as many of you know already, because you know me, we have left St. Louis once again and are living in Iceland for the next 5 1/2 months.  We only just found out we’d be coming a week before Christmas, so in the scramble to get everything sorted out we actually left our house several weeks ago so a renter could move in and have spent the time in between at a weekly rental with Eric’s parents, a friends’ house, and my parents house.  We finally flew out of Nashville on Tuesday and arrived in Reykjavik on Thursday morning, local time.  But in truth, our state of transience never really seemed to go away, even after we returned to the U.S. back in August.   So much has been in flux or in a less-than-certain mode that truly settling in never happened.  You see, the possibility that we might get to come to Iceland this semester always existed, and as a result (this just dawned on us the other day), Eric and I both felt frustrated and overwhelmed by the present and completely unable to settle into anything–not our house, not a routine, not any kind of contentment–throughout the fall.  For me this took the form of hating my house, which seemed to never ever get clean or organized; going mad with the sense that my very active and mobile child was stealing all of my identity by monopolizing my time and energy (and messing up the house), and the inability to commit to certain activities in case I had to leave them.  I also found out in September that I’m expecting again, so first-trimester discomfort and lack of energy, combined with several bouts of illness in the house, turned me into a whimpering little girl on several occasions.

And yet, it finally crystalized in my heart as the plane took off the other day, that all of this fostered in me a dependence on others like I have never ever experienced in my life (or at least as an adult).  Up to this point, even after Everett was born, I had a fierce sense of independence and self-reliance; a determination to make it on my own and basically, to do whatever I wanted.  Marriage changed this a little bit, but having a toddler (as opposed to a complacent, portable baby) changed it completely!  With Eric using our only car 2-3 days out of the week, being alone with this adorable, crazy, into-everything little boy was breaking me down.  Community, human contact, and conversation went from being things I loved and enjoyed to things I could not live without.  And I had to surrender my notions of being a perfect, “got-it-all-together” kind of mom and do things like drop my kid off with friends at the last minute b/c I forgot about an appointment, let a friend come over and help me clean up because the task felt insurmountable, invite myself and my toddler over for a play date and gladly accept if a dinner invitation happened to follow.  So even though I never really felt like I settled back in at our home in St. Louis, it was extra hard to leave this time around.  It felt like much more than leaving a place and rather like leaving a version of myself in which I had grown comfortably reliant on others to remind me of who I am and where my limitations lie.

Watching the snow fall, which it did on and off all day yesterday, from the giant picture window in our current living room

So now a task is before us–find community in this strange place.  I’m already intimidated by the language barrier and the fact that our apartment is located in a part of town which which I am unfamiliar.  But I am still relying on my husband and everyone at home to stay in touch, pray for us, and let me be sad and lonely sometimes.